M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

[Space Cowboy]

First proper outing with my EQ setup for over 6 months managed 1 hour 14 mins on M51 with the ST102 & ASI224MC.

Rather noisy as I had higher gain than I ought. Deep sky imaging is still doing my nut but when there are no planets beggars can't be choosers!

30 sec exposures used :

 

[domstar]

Nice. Probably my favourite thing in the sky.

[MartinB]

If you keep go with deep sky  you will soon find that planetary imaging does your nut in!  Nice work on a great target

[Space Cowboy]

Thanks Martin. Planetary will always be my first love purely for the live hands on feel of imaging. A bit like fishing with a rod and line and feeling the fish bite, that rush of adrenaline when the seeing is good. Deepsky is like casting a net and only finding how good your catch is much later when it's all gathered in.

Having a permanent setup in an observatory must be a huge advantage.

[MarsG76]

Nice result, pity that I can't see it from here.

 

[Freddie]

Nice result for 30 second exposure. Good to see you out under the stars again Stuart.

[Space Cowboy]

Cheers Freddie!

[newbie alert]

On 04/09/2017 at 09:25, Space Cowboy said:

Thanks Martin. Planetary will always be my first love purely for the live hands on feel of imaging. A bit like fishing with a rod and line and feeling the fish bite, that rush of adrenaline when the seeing is good. Deepsky is like casting a net and only finding how good your catch is much later when it's all gathered in.

 

Dont know about that.. try the feeling of utter disappointment  as the view on the screen don't match with the conditions that you see in the ep..all of s sudden you realise Jupiter can dance..

[Space Cowboy]

Planetary imaging is very hard going these days due to their low elevation. 

[tooth_dr]

On 04/09/2017 at 09:25, Space Cowboy said:

Thanks Martin. Planetary will always be my first love purely for the live hands on feel of imaging. A bit like fishing with a rod and line and feeling the fish bite, that rush of adrenaline when the seeing is good. Deepsky is like casting a net and only finding how good your catch is much later when it's all gathered in.

Having a permanent setup in an observatory must be a huge advantage.

What a great analogy!